Benjamin Bror Bergman
Benjamin Bror Bergman, 49, of Cape Coral, Florida passed away on Friday, May 28, 2021, at Hope Hospice House in Cape Coral after a two-year battle with cancer. He was born March 16, 1972, in Newberry, MI and a graduate of Newberry High School 1992. Ben loved comics, sci-fi, and games of all sorts. Ben had an engaging personality and had a way of bringing out the best in those around him. He was funny, kind and a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Kari of Cape Coral; mother, Belinda Bergman, brother, Karl (Donna) Bergman and sisters Amber Bergman and Christina Bergman all of Newberry, Michigan; and sister Tara (Matt) Adams of Arkansas; six children, Abigail, Samuel, Karlie, Rebekah, and Andrea all of Cape Coral, and Madeleine (Ean) Gordon of Kentucky; one grandchild, Aniyah; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Benjamin was preceded in death by his father, Carl Bergman, and nephew, Dewey Bergman. Memorial Services will be held in North Fort Myers, FL.
Matthew Wayne Engle
Matthew Wayne Engle, age 41, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, May 29, 2021 at his home. He was preceded in death by his seven-year-old nephew, Griffin Engle, and his cousin, Max Engle. He will be deeply missed by his wife, Callie Engle; children Mia, Stella; parents Jim and Judy Engle; brother, Adam (Erin) Engle; parents-in-law Dave and Shelly Mussin; sister-in-law, Lauren Mussin; maternal grandmother, Betty Engle; and many extended uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends. Matt had many hobbies, those of which included playing hockey, riding motorcycles, doing home renovation projects, cooking, and enjoying U of M football. He also had many outdoor hobbies which included camping, making knives, fishing, and building “the biggest campfires possible.” Most importantly, he loved spending time with his family, especially coaching his daughters’ little league softball games. A Celebration of Life was held Thursday, June 3, 2021 at Kubiak-Cook Funeral Home – Dorr Chapel in Dorr, Michigan. In memory of Matt and in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the family to assist with final expenses. Visit his GoFundMe page at bit.ly/MWEngle to contribute (case sensitive). The family welcomes memories and messages in their guest book online at www.kubiakcookdorr.com.
Maureen Elizabeth (Barker) Brunet
Maureen Elizabeth Barker was born on March 25, 1928 in Melbourne, Australia to Stanislaus Robert Barker and Margaret Mary (Griffiths) Barker. Maureen was the youngest of two daughters. She and her sister Eileen worked as telephone operators during World War II. Maureen met “Pete” Brunet, the love of her life, on a Sunday afternoon in a park, while Pete was on leave during World War II. They had dates several days in a row. Pete wrote in his diary that Maureen’s dad yelled at him for bringing Maureen home at 1:00 AM and that if it wasn’t for the war, he would have married her immediately. Pete must have made a big impression on Maureen, because she made the courageous decision to sail on a Liberty Ship to San Francisco and then take the train to Newberry in the winter. That was a shock, because she had never seen snow before. Pete was not in Newberry, so they met at the Philadelphia Naval Hospital. They were married at St Gregory’s Church by Pete’s brother Fr. Achille Brunet, SJ. Maureen proudly became a US citizen on June 27, 1949. Maureen was an accomplished violinist and studied at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music earning the Associate of the London College of Music. She was not able to pursue her music in Newberry, she was busy raising three sons. She told us there were only two kinds of music: good music and bad music. She taught us to appreciate many kinds of music. Maureen was an active member of St Gregory’s Catholic Church. After Pete died February 28, 2001, Maureen moved to Santa Rosa to be with her sister Eileen and she lived her last years in Georgetown, Texas close to son Peter, Jeanne, their children and grandchildren. Maureen enjoyed bowling, playing bridge and was an outstanding cook. She loved to garden; red roses were the symbol of the love she and Pete shared. Maureen worked many years as a secretary in the personnel office at Newberry State Hospital and for the Highway Department. Maureen was preceded in death by her parents, a stillborn child and husband Pete. She is survived by her sister Eileen, , sons: Pete (Jeanne), Fr. Paul, and Robert; nephew Mike (Lana) Sremba; grandchildren Roberta Gooseberry (Lyle); Bob Martel (Missey); Chad (Rachael); Tom (Sarah); PJ; and Julie Russo (Mike) and 15 great grandchildren: Bauer, Easton, Maddie, Ben, Grant, Eva, Vera, Chase, Riley, Deven, Bret, Ava, Emma, Robert and Aubrey and many cousins, nieces and nephews in the US and Australia. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Fr. Paul Brunet at St. Gregory’s Catholic Church in Newberry on Friday, June 11 at 11:00 am. Burial will follow Mass at Forest Home Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com.
Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Alfred Rheinhart Fergin
Former Engadine resident, Alfred Rheinhart Fergin, 99, of Newberry, died Thursday afternoon June 3, 2021 at Golden Leaves Living Center in Newberry. Born September 12, 1921 in Engadine, son of the late Ewald and Hulda (Werner) Fergin, Alfred was a graduate of Engadine High School. On December 22, 1942, Alfred enlisted in the United States Army serving during World War II until his honorable discharge on February 9, 1946 attaining the rank of Technician 4th grade. Following his honorable discharge, Alfred continued his education and was a graduate of Detroit Business University receiving a bachelors degree in business. He would later serve in the United States Air Force reserves until his honorable discharge on June 12, 1960 attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. On August 22, 1947, Alfred married the former Betty Kemp in Detroit and made Livonia their home where he owned and operated Fergin Agency Inc. for several years. Later in life, Alfred and Betty moved to Upper Peninsula residing in Engadine where he continued in the insurance business until his retirement. Alfred was a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Engadine formerly serving as treasurer, member of the B.P.O.E. #2246 in Livonia and the American Legion Post #290 of Engadine. Alfred was an accomplished aviator owning his own plane and also enjoyed golfing, bowling, fishing and hunting. In addition to his parents, Alfred is preceded in death by his brother Earl Fergin and sister Ethel Fergin. Survivors include his loving wife, Betty, of Newberry; son Daryl (Linda) Fergin of Farmington Hills; grandson Kevin Fergin of Livonia and great-grandson Jayden Fergin of Livonia; sister-in-law Esther Fergin of Engadine; nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and great-great-nieces. A gathering of family and friends will take place Friday June 11, 2021 from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Engadine. Funeral services celebrating the life of Alfred will follow at 4:00 pm at the church with Pastor Kyle Kuehl officiating. Interment with full military rites conducted by the American Legion Post #290 and the United States Army Honor Guard will take place at the Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in his memory. Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Michael Fred “Mick” French
Michael Fred “Mick” French, 76, of Lakefield Township, died Wednesday June 2, 2021 at Select Specialty Hospital in Battle Creek, Michigan. Born October 19, 1944 in Newberry, son of the late Clifford Sr. and Velma (Hollingshead) French, Mick was a 1963 graduate of Newberry High School. On May 26, 1966, Mick enlisted in the United States Army during the Vietnam War as a supply sergeant until his honorable discharge on February 29, 1968 attaining the rank of Specialist 5. Prior to and after his service in the United States Army, Mick was employed as a truck driver for the Newberry Stud Mill and later for the Luce County Road Commission as a heavy equipment operator for 31 years until retirement in 2000. Mick’s passion was farming and he raised beef cattle for 50 years. He was proud to have the top selling calves at the sale for many years. Mick loved spending time with friends and family at the family cabin, which was built from the timber on the property and where he taught his grandchildren to shoot. He loved his community and served as the first chair of the Luce West Mackinac County Fair and was a 4-H Livestock leader for many years. He also served as a trustee on the Lakefield Township Board for many years. Mick was a friend to all and gave freely of his time and talents to help a neighbor. He enjoyed time spent with his daughters and grandchildren riding ATVs, hosting bon fires and hay rides, and sharing his love of animals, farming, and nature. In addition to his parents, Mick is preceded in death by his daughter Michelle Marie French, brother Clifford French and brother-in-law Glenn Johnson. Survivors include his loving wife of 50 years, the former Phyllis Helmer, whom he married on June 20, 1970 in Newberry; daughters Lisa French Hetrick of East Lansing and Kristi (Brian) Zakrzewski of Eaton Rapids; grandchildren Cole Hetrick, Megan Hetrick, Anja Zakrzewski and Eli Zakrzewski; sister Barbara Johnson of Marquette; sister-in-law Bonnie French of McMillan; nieces and nephews. A public gathering of family and friends will take place Tuesday June 8, 2021 from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon at the Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry. Private family funeral services will follow at 12:00 noon at the funeral home with Gary Smith presiding. Public graveside services will full military rites conducted by the American Legion Post #74 and the United States Army Honor Guard will follow at 1:30 pm at the East Lakefield Township Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the UP State Fair – Beef Barn or the Luce County Animal Shelter in his memory. Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
